Congressman Salazar and Senator Udall ask Governor to support protection for Archuleta County

Washington, DC – In response to concerns of Archuleta County officials and community members, U.S. Congressman John Salazar and U.S. Senator Mark Udall have asked that Colorado Governor Bill Ritter join them in support of a 1.5 mile regulated coal bed methane drilling buffer zone around the outcrop formation in Archuleta County. In 2000, the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) instituted a similar buffer zone for coal bed methane drilling along the outcrop in La Plata County.   The regulation does not prevent exploration, but states that activity within the 1.5 mile buffer zone requires the direct approval of the entire Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.

On the issue, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement:

 “While we need to explore and utilize our natural resources, we can’t do it at the expense of the health or safety of our local communities, said Congressman Salazar. “Senator Udall and I believe that Archuleta County residents should receive the same level of oversight and protection as their neighbors in La Plata County.”

Senator Udall offered the following statement on the issue:

“As elected officials, our top priority is to protect the health and well-being of Coloradans,” said Senator Udall.  “The tremendous natural resources in Southwest Colorado can and should be harvested, but only if doing so will in no way risk the water or the well-being of area residents.  The decision of the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission to create a 1.5-mile buffer zone around the outcrop in La Plata County is a logical precedent to follow in Archuleta County.”

On Congressman Salazar and Senator Udall’s letter to Governor Ritter, Archuleta County Commissioner Bob Moomaw offered the following comment:

“On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners and the citizens of Archuleta County, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Congressman Salazar and Senator Udall for addressing the serious issue of outcrop drilling in Archuleta County,” said Commissioner Moomaw.  “We sent a letter to the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (COGCC) on August 13, 2008 requesting that the 1.5 mile buffer zone be extended into Archuleta County; unfortunately the COGCC failed to respond to our request.

“I would like to reiterate the need for the extension of the 1.5 mile buffer zone in order to protect our citizens’ water and homes and pledge Archuleta County’s support for this initiative.” 

A copy of Congressman Salazar and Senator Udall’s letter is attached.